The Shota in front of her and his name gradually overlapped with Madara's somewhat vague memory and finally updated her long-forgotten recollection.
Memories from twelve years ago surfaced again, and Madara finally remembered the child who always followed Hashirama out to play with her and always said he would marry her when he grew up.
"Senju?"
Madara asked in disbelief. Afterall, the intelligence she had received said that a significant figure from the Senju clan was about to return from the Uzumaki clan. From her memory, that little kid who only knew how to talk nonsense hardly seemed capable of becoming someone important.
Apart from his decent combat power, Akira was just so-so-at least by the standards of the Uchiha and Senju clans-nowhere near the level of a Jonin.
Although Akira couldn't tell what Madara was thinking, her choice to stop attacking showed that she recognized him and that she probably even considered him a friend.
'In this case, if I marry her, I could truly say I've 'married a beautiful, rich woman and reached the peak of my life.'
At that moment, Shadow Clone A-hidden nearby-noticed that Akira and Madara were talking and had clearly recognized each other. He signaled Shadow Clone B.
"Guys, get to work."
After the reminder, Shadow Clone B noticed the situation too and clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Ugh, I'm just a clone, not a laborer."
Complaints aside, Shadow Clone B moved quickly.
[Earth Release Barrier: Earth Prison Hall Does-Exist.]
Chakra surged into the ground, and moments later, stone walls erupted on every side of the Uchiha members who had already been worn down by battle. They were instantly sealed in.
When they tried to run, they realized that even the space above them was sealed off by stone.
An improved version of a technique originally created by Jirobo under Orochimaru, this ninjutsu had a wider sealing range and eliminated the original weakness where distance reduced effectiveness.
Its ability to seal and drain enemy chakra was even stronger than before. Against an ordinary Kage-level ninja, Akira was confident he could trap them for a long time unless they possessed extraordinary powers like Wood Release, Susanoo or giant beasts.
However, given that those three Uchiha were beaten by Akira's shadow clones, it was clear they lacked any sort of trump card.
Once Shadow Clone B completed the technique, only a few moments passed before the sealed Uchiha could no longer make a sound.
Though Madara noticed the commotion, she only spared it a glance before looking back at Akira's main body.
"Is that your subordinate or a puppet? He's pretty strong."
Realizing she wasn't angry and had seen through the secret of his clone immediately, Akira explained.
"They aren't my subordinates-they're shadow clones I created by splitting off part of my chakra and consciousness."
"Oh?"
Madara raised an eyebrow and gave an intrigued look after hearing the explanation.
"I see. I take back what I said about your weak strength- I admit…" Her voice trailed off as she suddenly remembered the promise she'd made with Akira when they were kids.
"Anyone who wants to marry me must have strength I approve of… Otherwise I, Uchiha Madara, would rather be single for the rest of my life."
Even someone as composed as Madara felt embarrassed remembering those childish words. The expression on her face flickered for a second before she regained her usual commanding stance as if nothing had happened.
Akira caught the change instantly. He'd been watching her closely from start to finish.
'The proud and imposing Madara is amazing… even her smaller expressions are cute… Shit-I actually just thought 'my life is worth it.' What the hell do I do now…'
Madara saw him staring at her with a dazed look but wasn't disgusted by it, which surprised even herself.
She knew that kind of closeness wasn't ideal considering their clans' relationship not to mention that her current position as clan head was precarious enough without rumors of sympathizing with Senju members spreading around.
Once word of her peaceful interaction with Akira leaked, her authority gained through force would fall under greater pressure. The Uchiha couldn't endure another civil war over leadership while surrounded on every side by enemies.
If they fractured now, they'd either become someone else's vassals or vanish completely from history as a ninja clan.
Neither option was acceptable to her.
Madara's gaze turned cold again as she looked at Akira one last time. The fondness from moments earlier was wiped away cleanly.
"That's enough nostalgia for now. Next time we meet, we'll be enemies again-and I hope you won't die by my hands."
With that, she turned around, completely unconcerned about the Uchiha members trapped behind her, and began walking away.
"Wait."
Akira acted on instinct. He reached out and grabbed her hand before stopping himself to think if it was wise to do this, causing Madara's face to instantly tighten into a frown.
"Let go-"
Before she could finish saying it, Akira quickly pulled out a scroll from his ninja tool pouch and pressed it into her hand.
"These are ideas I wrote down for how the Senju and Uchiha could work together based on how things are right now in the ninja world… I also included management suggestions for your clan moving forward. I'm sure they'll be useful for you, Sister Madara."
Listening to his words slowly softened Madara's anger. Deep inside, she was moved just slightly. Right now-even Hashirama would kill her without hesitation on sight, everyone had become an enemy except for her younger brother.
To have someone give her kindness out of pure nostalgia and goodwill felt rare, like being handed clean water while dying of thirst in a wasteland.
Mixed with memories from her childhood, her feelings toward Akira shifted slightly again.
"I…"
She was about to speak when she suddenly sensed movement in the distance, a troop is approaching fast.
Given that this was Senju territory, she decided not to linger any longer.
She stuffed the scroll into her robe and vanished without another word.
"Consider those captured Uchiha your military credit."
"Madara! Don't forget to read it!"
"Alright!"
Her voice echoed faintly in the empty space where she had stood just moments before.
Akira watched in silence and sighed heavily-the meeting felt less like a reunion and much closer to some secret rendezvous.
Military credit?
"I don't want any credit."
He turned toward the mound formed by Earth Prison Hall and narrowed his eyes. With one motion of his hand, the entire formation sank into the ground with a rattle, flattened and erased without trace. (T/N: God damns.. ruthless.)
Madara left them behind not because she trusted or liked him that much, but because she couldn't bear spilling her own people's blood with her own hands.
Akira wasn't so naïve to misinterpret that part.
"But now that I've met her... there's no turning back." He whispered to himself while flexing his hand into a tight fist.
He summoned Shadow Clone A once again.
After Mito arrived at their location, he quickly released both clones.
There was no longer any reason to keep fighting, the approaching force was friendly and their commander was someone Akira recognized immediately.
"Hahaha! Little Akira! I finally found you!"
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